RED SOX NOTEBOOK: Bogaerts returns to starting lineup

Saturday

Aug 4, 2018 at 9:00 PMAug 4, 2018 at 10:09 PM

BOSTON — Trips to the disabled list continue to mount for the Red Sox, but there was one welcome return to the lineup on Saturday.

Xander Bogaerts (right hand contusion) received last-second clearance from Boston’s medical staff. The shortstop made a late defensive cameo in Friday’s 4-1 victory over the Yankees and was back to full duty in the third game of this weekend series. Bogaerts missed Thursday’s 15-7 demolition of New York after being hit by a pitch two days earlier.

“I feel much better today, much more animated, more optimistic,” Bogaerts said on Thursday. “I’ll come in tomorrow and see how it feels. Obviously I want to play. If it’s ready, I’ll play if I’m in the lineup.”

That time came not a moment too soon for the Red Sox, who placed a third position player on the disabled list in the last week. Trade deadline addition Ian Kinsler (left hamstring strain) joined Blake Swihart (right hamstring strain) and Rafael Devers (left hamstring strain) among the ranks of the unavailable, a situation so dire that Mookie Betts was forced to play second base for a portion of Friday’s game.

“It’s not perfect,” Red Sox manager Alex Cora said. “I wish everybody was healthy. But at the same time we understand over 162 games that this is going to happen. It’s happened a lot lately.”

Boston purchased the contract of infielder Tony Renda from Triple-A Pawtucket to take Kinsler’s spot on the active roster. The Red Sox also shifted Dustin Pedroia (left knee inflammation) to the 60-day disabled list, creating a 40-man roster spot for Renda. The 27-year-old appeared in 32 games for the Reds in 2016 and zipped through Boston’s system after offseason wrist surgery, slashing a combined .353/.399/.529 in 47 games with Double-A Portland and the PawSox.

“Surreal moment, especially where I came from earlier in the year, getting released in spring training with Arizona,” Renda said. “I was home until April 28 and got signed here. Went to Double-A, got promoted at the (All-Star) break and got myself here to Boston, which is pretty awesome.”

'This is pretty good': Cora was in a considerably more jovial mood on Saturday afternoon than the previous evening.

His first managerial ejection was in the rear-view mirror, with Cora joining fellow rookie skippers Aaron Boone (Yankees, twice), Dave Martinez (Nationals), Mickey Callaway (Mets) and Gabe Kapler (Phillies) among the ranks of the previously dispatched.

“I didn’t plan it,” Cora said. “I was kind of happy I haven’t been thrown out before. I was like, ‘Hey, this is pretty good.’ ”

Cora was tossed by plate umpire Adam Hamari in the wake of some contentious action in the first inning. Brett Gardner was hit by Rick Porcello in the top of the inning and Luis Severino responded by buzzing a pitch past the head of Betts in the bottom of the inning, prompting Hamari to warn both benches. Cora felt such discipline was unjustified, and even stepping onto the field to argue his case violated Major League Baseball rules.

“I didn’t care at the moment, honestly,” Cora said. “I did what I thought I had to do.”

When asked whether or not he expected a suspension from the league office, Cora was a bit taken aback. He was restrained by crew chief Phil Cuzzi and never made any actual contact with Hamari during the heated, one-sided argument. Bench coach Ron Roenicke steered the Red Sox through the final eight innings without incident.

“I was thinking more of a fine,” Cora said. “We’ll see. If I get suspended, we’re in good hands.”

Around the bases: Chris Sale (left shoulder inflammation) was scheduled to resume his normal throwing program by playing catch prior to Saturday’s game. Boston is attempting to put Sale on track for a start during the upcoming three-game series at Toronto. “That’s the plan,” Cora said. “We’ll see. We’re talking Toronto. We’ll talk about it today.” … The Red Sox relied on both online video and their own internal scouting reports to prepare for New York right-hander Chance Adams. The Yankees’ No. 13 prospect made his major-league debut on Saturday. “Back in the day we barely had information,” Cora said. “Now we have videos, we have stats, we have breakdowns — it’s a lot easier.”

Never miss a story

Choose the plan that's right for you.
Digital access or digital and print delivery.